WESS switches gears to Classic Enduro for France’s Trefle Lozerien
By Press Release on 8th Jun 18
With no time to wait after last weekends Erzbergrodeo Red Bull Hare Scramble in Austria, WESS competitors switch disciplines from Hard Enduro to Classic Enduro.
As the new WESS points leader, its Red Bull KTM Factory Racings Jonny Walker (GB) who holds advantage entering France, but with 550 riders entered, including many of the worlds best Classic Enduro specialists, he faces a challenging weekend of racing to keep that championship lead intact.
Staged over three days in Mende, the Trefle Lozerien AMV is Frances most prestigious Enduro. Following the traditional format of Classic Enduro, it requires a unique and different set of skills to those needed to succeed at rounds one and two.
Speed is of the essence with each of the 200-kilometre long days broken down into a series of liaison and timed special stages. A predetermined time is set for riders to complete each of the liaison stages and where a rider arrives early or late to the end of each liaison a penalty is added. Special stages featuring a mixture of open grass fields and forestry tracks are all about speed and racing as fast as possible.
Graham Jarvis, Jonny Walker, Manuel Lettenbichler celebrate the podium at the Red Bull Hare Scramble
The winner is the rider with the fastest times when the special stages and liaison penalties are tallied up. In total, competitors will complete a demanding 600 kilometres of Enduro riding and 15 unique special tests during the three-days of racing.
Of those looking to add their name to the illustrious winners list, the quality and depth of entries in this years 32nd edition of the race is arguably as strong as its ever been. Factoring in the main WESS contenders, Frances top Enduro riders and additional world-class talent ensures the fight for victory will go right down to the wire.
Aiming to keep his points lead intact, Walker will look for a strong outing in France and is keen to show he boasts both the speed and skills necessary to battle for the win.
Joint second in this years championship chase, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna s Graham Jarvis and Billy Bolt already WESS winners in 2018 will look to keep their run of form alive, as will this years sensation Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM) who finished third at rounds one and two.
Following two impressive top 15 rides in the opening Hard Enduro races, the Trefle Lozerien is an event Spains Josep Garcia (KTM) has patiently waited for.
As reigning Enduro 2 World Champion, Garcia is one of the sports fastest Classic Enduro specialists and will want to make that clear to all in France where only thoughts of victory are on his mind. A win this weekend would bring him right into the championship fight, but also create history as the first non-French winner of the race.
2017 Trefle Lozerien action
Teammate to Garcia, Nathan Watson (GB) is another rider eager to capitalise on his Classic Enduro skills. Feeling more at home on the fast rolling grassy special tests on offer in France, Watson looks to put his name at the sharp end of the results sheet.
Making a one-off ride in WESS, Jamie McCanney (Yamaha ) was the events runner-up in 2017. A year wiser and more experienced, McCanney will know what it takes to win this time around.
French riders will not want to play second fiddle to their international competitors. With only home riders having ever graced the winners list of the Trefle Lozerien AMV, its an honour they will want to continue in 2018.
Eager to add to Yamahas tally of 19 race victories, Loic Larrieu (FRA) hopes to take a first-time Trefle Lozerien win, as will former world champion Mathias Bellino (Honda).
Other French riders to watch for include Johnny Aubert (Gas Gas), young talent Theo Espinasse (Sherco), Marc Bourgeois (Yamaha), Julien Gauthier (Yamaha) and Jeremy Miroir (Husqvarna). Previously a winner in 2007, Albepart Emmanuel (Yamaha) placed third overall in 2017.
The Trefle Lozerien AMV, WESS round three, takes place in Mende, France on June 8-10.
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